A woman named Nur Irsalina Omar Kumar was fined RM4,000 by the Sepang Sessions Court on May 18 for posting false information about petrol and diesel price increases on her Threads account on March 31, 2026. She pleaded guilty and paid the fine, avoiding a six-month jail term that applies if unable to pay. The charge was filed under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, which carries penalties of up to RM500,000 fine or two years imprisonment, or both [1, 2, 3].
Two men, 29-year-old private driver Mohd Aiman Zaini Satar and 46-year-old Malaysian Civil Defence Force volunteer Romfazly Syam Mohd Mokhtar, were each fined RM4,000 by the same court on May 20 for spreading false information about the Budi Madani RON95 (Budi95) subsidy on TikTok. The posts appeared on April 4, 2026. Both pleaded guilty and paid their fines, with possible six-month imprisonment if they fail to pay [4, 5].
Judge Ahmad Fuad Othman called Mohd Aiman's offense serious, warning that such misinformation could cause public disorder. He said, "The impact of our online posts is serious; it can sometimes lead to chaos. If left unchecked, such actions can create unrest. Be careful when posting" [4, 5].
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) emphasized the harm of false information on public issues. It urged the public to verify facts before sharing and use digital platforms responsibly [2].
The cases highlight enforcement of Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, which aims to curb false and misleading content that risks societal stability. The individuals paid RM4,000 fines each and avoided potential six-month imprisonment terms. The court continues to monitor and act on similar offenses.
